p oli CE B lott E r

Toms River Man Jailed For Swindling $211,000 From Friend

By Chris Lundy

TOMS RIVER – An Ortley Beach man was sentenced to five years in prison for tricking his friend out of $211,415.98 on an investment scheme.

John Hammond, 70, also has to pay his victim back, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Police said that between May of 2017 and February of 2019, Hammond convinced his friend to invest that money with him and he’ll get large returns. Hammond even created fraudulent documents purporting to be from Fi - delity Investments. When Toms River Police investigated, they learned that the money was never invested and he was spending it on himself.

Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Toscano who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau for their efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Hammond’s guilty plea, and now his state prison sentence.

Missing Brick Woman Found Injured In Crash

By Chris Lundy

TOMS RIVER – A Brick woman who had gone missing the day before was found injured in a crash and was arrested for drunk driving.

Danielle Neff, 56, of Brick, was charged with reckless driving, driving with an open container, and driving under the influence. The crash took place at 2 a.m. on May 3. Her vehicle came to a rest in a retention basin near the construction by the Bay Avenue entrance to the Ocean County Mall, police said.

Police said she was treated at the scene and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for her injuries. She had gone missing the day before. Her brother had originally posted on Facebook that the family didn’t know where she was and were worried about her. After her arrest, he posted that she was in stable condition.

The crash is being investigated by Officer Witold Paduch.

Toms River PBA Blood Drive

TOMS RIVER – American Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by Toms River PBA 137 on June 12 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Toms River Knights of Columbus (113 Tennyson Avenue Toms River).

To schedule a time call Ptl. Pete Saker at 732-349-0150 ext. 1362 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and search for our event!

Vendor & Food Truck Festival

TOMS RIVER – Join on May 13 from 12 to 5 p.m. for a day full of fun, food, and vendors for the whole family at RWJBarnabas Field of Dreams, 1505 N. Bay Avenue. Free admission and the event is open to the public. (Rain date: May 14).

Downtown Toms River Farmers’ Market

TOMS RIVER – The Downtown Toms River Farmers’ Market is back at Huddy Park on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning May 24.

They are excited to be back and so close to all of the downtown businesses! The market celebrates everything great about New Jersey. New Jersey farms selling local grown fruits and vegetables. Vendors selling flow- ers, local honey, gourmet foods, pickles & olives, guacamole, baked goods, and more. NJ Winery, distillery and brewery. Smoothie truck on premises every week. Check the website for an updated list of vendors each week: downtowntomsriver. com. Vendor inquiries only through the website. No requests or links will ever be posted on the page to sign up!

TRAC - Artin’ In The Park At Field Of Dreams

TOMS RIVER – Weekly event every Wednesday from May 31 through July 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

“Team TRAC, Traveling TRAC” will be heading to RWJ Barnabas Field of Dreams. Every Wednesday Team TRAC will be “Artin’ in the Park” with the kids from Field of Dreams.

The Junior members will be doing a “hand mural” with the kids and under the pavilion they will making “peace poles.”

If you are a member of the Field of Dreams family, come out and join! These are family friendly events, free of charge. Both projects are completely inclusive to children/adults of all levels. If the children need help, they have plenty of TRAC members to help.

Government 0fficials... Have news that you would like the community to be involved with? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Send it to news@jerseyshoreonline.com.

Affordable Cremation Packages

Package includes: Removal from hospital or facility within 25 miles of funeral home, all funeral home service fees, and required cremation container MCDDT-01. Package excludes residential removal fee and Crematory charges.

Package includes: 2-Hr Memorial Visitation (during regular business hours) a complimentary select Urn, removal from Hospital or Facility with-in 25 miles of Funeral Home, all Funeral Home service fees, required cremation container MCDDT-01. Package excludes residential removal fee and Crematory charges.